For millions of younger Americans, the sudden explosion of Iran onto the national political stage and consciousness may seem like a bolt from the blue. In the 1980s, Hezbollah, Iran’s then-recently established Lebanese Shia proxy group, began seizing US hostages in Beirut. As some hostages were released, others were taken – and the psychic wound between the US and Iran deepened. 3:20 Why the US and Israel are bombing Iran – videoYet the deep-rooted US fixation with Iran has its mirror image. Two generations later, the spirit of revolution has once again been gripping Iran.

Source: The Guardian March 01, 2026 23:31 UTC